title: Linear versus nonlinear offspring-parent regression in unselected random-bred mice.
abstract: A check on the linearity of offspring-parent regression was made using data on 6-week body weight from unselected random bred mice. The study comprised 1099 offspring (family mean)-parent pairs spanning 20 generations from which regression and heritability estimates were obtained based on regression on one parent, mid-parent or simultaneously on both parents. Investigation of linear and nonlinear relationships showed that the offspring-sire regressions were significantly, but not greatly, nonlinear, whereas the regression of offspring on dams did not depart significantly from linearity. No significant contribution from cross-products of sire and dam coefficients was found. The data were close to normally distributed, and for this trait errors in prediction of selection response would generally be small if nonlinearity were ignored.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mbaga
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Hill